Laughter

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The first time I remember hearing laughter was March 1933 when we are moving into 207 North Street Edina, Mo. The laughter was coming from the St Joe schoolyard. Yup, the kids are playing fox and geese in the snow.

   It did not seem to matter what season of the year it was; kids would be playing one game or the other. Tag, soccer, softball, touch football, etc. laughter was always in the air. For some reason it always made the work we were doing a little easier. 

   Then, after all the chores were done and supper is over Dad and my older brothers would be listening to Fibber McGee and Molly or the Great Gildersleeve on the radio and every three minutes or so there was this burst of laughter… at least somebody is having fun.

   Then, our pond was the free public swimming hole. Everybody went swimming in those days. For some reason water will broadcast voice and laughter. Trouble was while the town kids are swimming and laughing, my brother and I are hoeing in the garden.

   Then, another place we laughed a lot was at the Toby and Susie Big Tent Theater. Yes, Toby and Susie came to town every year and put on a show 7 nights running. Most of the plays were comedy…What fun, you just laughed till you cried. 

   Then, at the county fair we would have a talent contest and the Catch a greased pig contest. A dozen boys might try to catch the pig but few could catch him. Then, Saturday night talent contest in the middle of the city square. At least one of these would be a jokester. All this happened while the depression raged on. Wow, what great medicine a joke and a burst of laughter was. 

   Then, we moved on into the age of television. Some of these shows we would laugh till we burst. Ie: Bob Hope, Flip Wilson, Jack Benny, Goldie Hawn, Lucy Ball, Carol Burnett, Bob Newhart, Maude, etc. 

Submitted by Bill Lewis